A/N: Here's the next installment I hope people didn't have trouble finding it because I switched the listing to Kankurou instead of Chouji for this one. (Can't call that a spoiler since I warned you last time.)
Feelings, Formalities & Face Paint
"Ino honey, look who's here to see you." Misao tried to sound happy as she let Chouji in, but her expression betrayed her real feelings; her daughter's unusually quiet behavior had her worried. When no audible response came, she leaned toward his ear to say said, "She's on the couch," then added in an even more hushed tone, "I think she's still hurting from whatever that man hit her with. I keep catching her using her healing skills on herself." The petite woman gestured for him to go into the living room.
When he did she went back to the kitchen to make lunch for Inoichi, who had insisted he would be fine working down in the flower shop by himself.
The brawny shinobi looked at his beloved teammate. The blonde sat with her hair hanging loose, her body curled against one side of the couch. "Hey," he said softly, "how are you feeling today?"
She moved her feet to the floor, sitting up a little, but said nothing.
Chouji took that as an invitation and settled himself onto the far side of the couch. They sat in awkward silence for a few moments; the only sounds came from the kitchen where Misao continued her preparations.
"Ino…I…" he paused, "you are feeling better, right? I thought there was no lingering effect from the poison." He berated himself; It took you a whole day to get the nerve up to see her after this. Now you're being cautious in what you want to say because you don't know what she's told her parents.
"I'm still run down and in spite of Sakura's healing, I still hurt here, but it goes a way for a longer time each time I use my healing chakra on it." Her hand rested lightly on her midriff. She was wearing an open dark red hoodie over a short rose colored tank that exposed a lot of flesh, although less than what her preferred mission style of dress did. Her leg wear was a pair of gray low slung sweats.
His thoughts drifted to what they'd started the other night, If only we'd had maybe another fifteen to twenty minutes alone…although the whole night would have been better. He felt the heat of his distracted thoughts flush his cheeks.
Suddenly, as if reading those thoughts, she leaned against him. Then suddenly the familiar green glow enveloped her hand as it still rested against her midsection.
At that same moment he heard the sound of Ino's mother going downstairs.
"Isn't it strange though, Shikamaru told me you were struck in the arm," he commented as he put an arm around her, deliberately putting pressure on her left upper arm where he was pretty sure the senbon had struck her.
"Sakura told me if I had any lingering effects I should be able to contain them on my own." The blonde sounded almost drowsy as she curled against him, "If it starts to get worse instead of better I promise I'll go see her right away."
"As long as you're certain," he tried to sound reassuring as he lightly stroked her arm, You should have come with me…you and Ryokou, then none of this would have happened.
He began an internalized debate, Do I talk to her about my feelings and take the risk of making her say something that she knows might hurt me? Or do I ask her straight out where her feelings stand as far as Kankurou is concerned in hope that she may actually say something that will come as a pleasant surprise? Whether he's married or not, thoughts of the Kazekage have flooded her emotions again. I wouldn't be surprised if she's thinking about him right now, in spite of all we've done together.
He looked at her, still leaning against his chest. One hand reached into his jacket pocket, running along the edge of the small box he'd brought with him. I wanted my forever to be with you. Your father probably thinks I'm asking you right now…maybe your mother too, if he told her about my plan. Do they even know what really happened? That's what I'll ask… He bent close to her ear, "Have you told Ryokou about her father yet?"
Ino's half shut lids snapped open, she tilted her face to look up at him with an expression that showed her alarm clearly. "No," she replied quietly as her eyes darted nervously about to see if there was anyone else to overhear them.
"Ino.
"I know I have to, but I don't know…" Her hands tensed uneasily on his chest, "I'm scared…"
His hands settled just as uncertainly around her upper arms, "scared to tell her," he swallowed uncomfortably, dreading the words he spoke next, "or afraid of what you feel about him."
"Chouji," her voice was startled, but still quiet. Her hands flew off his body as if she'd been burned and her head turned away ashamedly, "I can't."
"Then I'll talk," he continued, one hand still holding onto her while the other gently reached for her chin to turn her face toward him again. "What kind of power does he have over you? Without even being here he steals my dream away from me."
"What?" It came out like a soft gasp. There was surprise in her eyes and her mouth hung ever so slightly open, lips almost quivering.
Her expression was too hard for him to resist. "Oh Ino," he leaned forward while at the same time pulling her into his embrace. His mouth found hers and he kissed her. He had no idea what to say next, but he almost feared he'd said too much with her fragile state of mind. Let my heart reach her…please.
After the first moment she seemed to be responding, her hand reached up to brush softly against his cheek, but then it slid, lightly trailing down his face to rest limply against his arm. Her lips however, remained warm and receptive against his. Another moment passed and he felt it; a wetness on his cheek. He opened his eyes to find tears streaming down her face from beneath closed lids. Startled, he pulled back and watched as her aquamarine eyes blinked open, but her expression seemed strange and distant.
He cautiously reached a hand to her cheek to try to wipe the tears away.
She closed her eyes and whispered, "Maybe you should go."
"I'll see you soon," he replied softly, as he obediently got up and headed to the door.
Inoichi and Misao caught the sound of the feet coming down the stairs toward the back door. In fact, Misao had just gotten up with the intention of asking Chouji if he wanted to stay and have lunch with Ino.
"I was so sure he'd stay for a while," she muttered, puzzled first by her daughter's behavior and now by the Akimichi's sudden departure.
"Maybe he has business to attend to," Inoichi was well aware what her wife was thinking about by her expression. It had always been one of her biggest weakness as a shinobi…and a poker player. That was the main reason I didn't tell her about my conversation with Chouji the other morning at the hospital. She won't know until it's official.
"I should check on Ino," she gave a gentle squeeze to her husband's hand. There was the unspoken thought of 'I'm so worried about his leaving like this.'
Inoichi pretended to feign ignorance to her real concerns. "At least I got over my injury fast," he lightly tapped the flesh below his bandage, "or you'd have two of us to worry about."
"And we both know who the bigger baby is," she smiled sweetly at her husband before taking to the stairs to return to the apartment above.
Even as she opened the door she could hear her daughter sobbing. Her first instinct was to go to her and wrap her arms around her, but that might not allow her to get to the heart of the manner. No, I think it's mother/daughter tea time. She slipped quietly into the kitchen.
"Ino, I think we need to talk," Misao said as she set a cup of her daughter's favorite tea on the table in front of the couch.
A noise between a sniffle and a sob came from the shuddering body of the younger blonde whose face was buried in the couch cushions.
"Don't think for a minute that I'm going to let this go." She sat in a chair next to the couch, "I can wait, but you can't. In two hours you have to get Ryokou from school, she'll know something's wrong if you look like you've been crying."
Ino sniffled one last time, almost as if it was an act of defiance. Then slowly she turned and moved her body into a sitting position. With a drawn out motion she stretched her arms to take up the tea cup from the table. The red-rimmed sapphires of her eyes stared into the depths of the liquid. After a few minutes of this strange meditation the cup finally moved to touch her lips. As she lowered the cup her first savored taste was followed by a sad sigh.
"Ready to tell me what's wrong yet?"
"All I ever do is hurt him," her eyes returned to the tea, "I don't mean to but…" she let out another shuddering sob.
"Honey, do you love him?"
"I really think so, yes…but," she moved back further on the couch eyes shut, head back. For a moment, one of her hands absently stroked the side of the cup. Then with a sigh she opened her eyes again and continued, "He makes me feel so safe and warm, like I'm the most precious thing in his life. I know he'd never let anything hurt me…or Ryokou. This attack must have him so out of sorts, what a horrible thing for him to have come back to."
"Yet it sounds like you're talking about your feelings like they're a bad thing?" Misao pressed her daughter slightly with her inquiry, she was slightly puzzled.
"I want my love to be fireworks and passion." Ino moved to the front of the couch, looking to her mother, "We're shinobi, our lives are an adventure, so why not our romance?"
"Is there someone out there who makes you feel that way?" It was one of those 'I want to know, but I don't want to know' questions.
Ino's eyes suddenly flashed back toward the depths of her cup, her voice came out, barely a whisper, "Ryokou's father did."
"But he's back in Suna," Misao studied her daughter, "and at one point you said it might be best if he never found out about Ryokou." Here it is: the big mystery that circles around our family.
"Actually, I have no idea how he currently feels about her."
Her mother's eyes went wide, "So he was here with the Kazekage's entourage during those Chuunin Exams." She watched her daughter's expression carefully, "He saw her when she gave the Kazekage the flower and put two and two together. No wonder you were so out of sorts after that. Do you think he'll accompany the Kazekage this time?"
"I…" then Ino shook her head, then finished the tea. She started to get up; scared by the strange excitement that filled her every time her mother had said 'Kazekage'. I can't say it yet. I have to clear my head…before I get Ryokou.
"You can't live your life haunted by 'what ifs'." Misao said sadly, realizing that the conversation was essentially over, "Build your life around what you know." Her final words spoken to her daughter's back.
That night Chouji's sleep was restless, but if he had any dreams he didn't remember them.
Kankurou had thought he wouldn't sleep that night; he'd wanted to push on to Konoha. One of the guards had reminded him that he represented them all and further more had a responsibility to take of himself for the sake of his sons. He managed only four hours…a scream echoed in his mind but if anyone had asked he wouldn't have been able to recall if it was a child's or a woman's.
Ino's dreams were a crazy mix of passion and fear. Sometime she made love to a shadowed man with no face, awakening with to sensations of pleasure shivering through her body. Other times she'd awake in pain as if she lost something very precious to her. More than once her hand had reached out glowing with healing chakra as if to dispel the dark dreams with its touch.
It was about mid-afternoon the next day when Kazekage arrived in Konoha, he knew regardless of what he wanted his first objective was to see the Hokage. In fact he had deliberately switched to the white over-robe of his office shortly before approaching the gates. Fortunately, Shikamaru was waiting there to give him the information he sought after most: Ryokou was all right, as was her mother.
Soon they were at the main building to see Tsunade. He met privately with her in her office.
"We realize that this was an affront to the alliance that our villages currently share." Kankurou said in voice that fully expressed the gravity of the situation. "Chidoku Shun is one of our own, but acted for a cause unworthy of a shinobi of Suna," the lid of his left eye fluttered ever so slightly. "The person who sent him out on this mission has been dealt with, but we would like to bring him back to Suna for his punishment."
Tsunade regarded him "We are also aware of the personal nature of this attack" she said calmly "Is it true that your wife was the originator of this assault?"
"I have no wife, Shiori died as a result of her attempt on my life." His expression was guarded.
Is it appropriate to offer sympathy under these circumstances? Probably not, "So how do your sons fare?" Tsunade asked, "The prisoner spoke that they were in danger too."
"I would not be here if they were still in danger." He replied keeping his words to the point.
"I assume you will not be leaving immediately with the prisoner." Tsunade gave him a knowing look, "If you wish to see your daughter, I have no qualms about holding the prisoner for you until tomorrow." She watched his expression; he seemed to have expected her to know. "In fact, I would like it if you could bring Ryokou and her mother with you and have dinner with me this evening. You can also tell Shikamaru the invitation is extended to his family as well." I am curious about where you stand with Ino…especially considering the additional news you just gave me.
"I have no problem with that." Kankurou understood this was a formality. He knew since he was here he should spent time with the Hokage as an honored guest, but he also should take the opportunity to see his daughter, sister and nephews. Tsunade was just trying to give him the chance to do it all at once.
Ino knew today had to be the day. If she didn't tell Ryokou first, he would. Would that be so bad, maybe that's how I should approach it. No, get it together Ino.
It was midday when she finally talked to her daughter "Today may be a very special day for you." Ino looked into her daughter's eyes.
"It's not my birthday." Ryokou looked puzzled, "and it's not yours."
"It's not that kind of occasion." Ino smiled and took her daughter's hands, "Today may be the day you finally meet your father, well, not exactly for the first time, but this time you can actually talk with him as father and daughter, instead of just talking to him as a stranger. Not that you normally talk to strangers, at least I hope you don't talk to strangers." She paused, I'm turning into an idiot, babbling on like this. She was grateful she'd gotten her daughter dressed in her favorite jumper and tied those matching burnt orange scarves around her ponytails.
Ryo looked at her "My father." She smiled, "my father, really, my father….is he nice like Uncle Chouji or smart like Uncle Shika?"
"I hope so, sweetie," Ino suddenly felt doubt. "I haven't seen him in years." Although suddenly, I've been thinking about him far more than he deserves...
Ryokou was strangely excited about this prospect. She got away from her mother and promptly went down to the shop to tell her grandparents. Ino followed afterwards and made an attempt to explain her daughter's enthusiasm.
"And just how do you know her father is coming here from Suna?" Inoichi asked. The wound on his forehead was now only a pale pink line.
The bell by the shop entrance rang turning their attention. Shikamaru stood in the open doorway, "Oh good, you're here," He said in his typical matter-of-fact drawl, "The Kazekage is waiting outside to see you."
Inoichi's jaw dropped as he gaped at his daughter with total surprise.
"Shall we then?" she gestured for her father to follow as she took Ryokou's hand.
As soon as they got outside Shika said, "I'm going to get Temari, see you a little later," and promptly took off.
Kankurou stood there with an entourage of six shinobi. "Hello Ino," he actually sounded nervous, "I'm here to see Ryokou." The entourage behind him was trying to look casual but somehow by the way their eyes flickered from child to mother it was obvious that curiosity was getting the best of all these ranked shinobi.
Ryokou looked up at her mother. "He's my father?"
"Yes." Ino braced herself mentally.
"I remember your painted face," she walked up to him, bright blue eyes taking it in. "It's weird but at least it's a nice color."
"Thank you, I guess." He replied, "So, do you think you and your mother could accompany me back to the Hokage's for dinner?"
Ryokou turned to look at her mother. A strange excitement lit her eyes from within.
"I guess we can go," Ino shrugged. She looked over the simple lilac colored dress she'd put on, satisfied that it was all right for this occasion she then turned to Inoichi. "See you later," she gave her father a quick kiss on the cheek then said softly to him. "Have fun with the questions from the neighbors while I'm gone."
Ryokou ran back to give her grandfather a kiss too. Then they left with the Suna guard.
At the Hokage's dinner, while Ryokou was excitedly telling her cousins that they really were her cousins, Kankurou found a moment to talk to Ino quietly. He pulled out the largest remaining piece of the sandalwood comb.
She regarded it with a puzzled expression. "Why are you showing me this?"
"When Shiori attacked me, I was out on our balcony. It was the first time in a while I had pulled this out. While I evaded her attack I used it reflexively to block." He looked into her eyes, "In a way, you saved my life."
She felt a thrill race though her. In spite of everything going on in his life, he was thinking about me. She suddenly had an inspired idea, "Where are you staying tonight?"
It was after dark when the Suna entourage returned to the Yamanaka residence with Ino and Ryokou. Ino stopped at the doorway and turned to Kankurou, "You are not crossing into this house with that paint on your face."
He looked at her with a momentary sneer, and then his right eye did that twitchy thing.
Gotcha, Ino thought, this is almost like old times.
A moment later a member of his guard handed him a cloth and he attempted to get as much of the Bunraku make-up off of his face as possible. Ryokou watched with surprise at the transformation.
"Am I presentable now?" he asked.
Ryokou regarded him curiously, "Your eyes look smaller."
"Come on," Ino opened the door and led them all in.
Soon they were working on getting everyone situated. Four of the guard would stay downstairs in the flower shop for the night. The other two would stay in the family room. None of them wished to leave the Kazekage unattended, regardless of the fact that they could have used the accommodations Konoha normally offered to visiting delegations.
"Dad, I was wondering if Ryokou could stay with you and mom in your room tonight." Ino looked him straight in the eye as said this.
"You can't be serious." Inoichi recognized the nature of her request immediately. It went against all of his expectations for his daughter. He looked over at the Kazekage and started speaking to Ino in code. "Astpay ewfay onthsmay oujiChay atingday I oughtthay ehay asway ouryay oyfriendbay?"
Ino did not reply in kind. "Dad, I'm 28 years old and dammit, for this one night, I want this more than ever I've wanted anything.
Inoichi argued back "I don't care, you're still living under my roof. This is my house, I make the rules here."
"When was the last time I ever made a request like this…?"
They argued for a several minutes more. Kankurou smirked; At least I see where her stubborn streak came from. Eventually Ino won, partially because she pulled out a very large bottle of one of her father's favorite sakes. Sometimes knowing your opponents weakness...
Shikamaru watched Temari as sat on the edge of the bed, the way she moved as she brushed her hair clearly showed she was agitated about something. She's just waiting for me to ask. He sighed, resigned to his fate, "Did something happen tonight that I missed?"
"Of course," she placed the brush down and slid under the covers, "because she deliberately left the room for a moment."
"This is about Ino, isn't it?"
"I don't know whether to be worried about her or by her. She did a brief healing gesture again, when she realized I'd seen her, she insisted she was getting better. Then she turned to me with pleading eyes begged me not to say anything in front of the Hokage." The flaxen haired woman bit her lip for a moment, "It could just be she didn't want to worry my brother more than she already had…or…I don't know, what do you think?"
"I can't venture a guess," her husband replied. He put an arm around her, pulling her closer.
"Then I guess you're just going to have to distract me so I don't think about it too much," she whispered, before bending to kiss him beneath his ear. It always got the desired reaction…
Kankurou looked at Ino in the semi-dark that she had left her room in. The soft image of her long silken hair across her shoulder only fueled his desire. "As beautiful as I remember," his voice came out in a sensual yet feral whisper.
Two sets of arms reached out to each other and in the moment they achieved contact, a frantic exploration began.
Inoichi's mind was too much a whirling, cluttered mess to let him sleep. It had nothing to do with the sake he'd so generously shared with the Suna guard that had accompanied the Kazekage. Inside he was stewing because, as she had once before, his daughter had been seeing the son of one of his oldest friends. Once again this strange man had intruded on Ino's life and her memory the time she'd spent with Chouji seemed to have been erased. Not to mention what he'd asked me about before he left town a few days back. I was so happy when he asked me respectfully if he had my permission to ask Ino if she'd marry him. Yes, he wanted her to accompany him on a mission to an Inn with a hot springs. Sure, he told me he was going off to pick up a ring he'd already commissioned with her in mind, but he asked. His lip then curled in loathing, The one she's with right now won't ask me…he'll just take her away from me.
Suddenly, he felt something move, it was Ryokou tugging on his arm. Her bright eyes seemed to glow in the semi-dark, "Grandpa, I'm scared, there's a funny noise coming from Mama's room."
Now that his distraction had been broken, he too heard the violent banging noise coming through the wall. He shook his head. My daughter doesn't do things by halves. "Ryokou, that's the sound of your parents…getting… reacquainted." He was so grateful he had gotten the two guards who were in the family room drunk. They would have probably mistaken it for another attempt on the Kazekage's life.
He looked over at his wife; Misao was looking up with bleary eyes. "Kind of takes you back, doesn't it, dear?" He chuckled softly. Better to fake her out with humor, if she knew what I do about Chouji's plans she'd be crying her eyes out right now.
A moment passed and she nervously joined him in the laughter.
"So, what does it mean?" Ryokou asked.
"Honey, come over here and try to get back to sleep." Her grandmother said to her. She settled the girl next to her, then gave a glance back to Inoichi that showed, as he thought, she was deeply saddened this situation. She lightly kissed the back of the girl's head.
Misao's unhappy, I'm unhappy, since misery loves company I guess I'll have to share this news with Chouza tomorrow…
Ino awoke in the early hours, not that she had gotten very much sleep to begin with.
Kankurou was laying there looking at her. He had a strange smile on his face as he said, "You do realize that this is the first time I've gotten to wake up with you still next to me…and better still, no secret to keep."
He slid a hand along her hip, teasing her with the feathery way his fingers enhanced the sensation.
"As much as I'd like to take full advantage of this situation," Ino smiled back at him, "our daughter is a morning person and I'll bet my mother is having a hard time keeping her out of here…it is her room as well, you know." She kissed him, feeling his arms wrap around her as he pressed her bare flesh gently to his chest. She pushed back lightly, "So, no matter how much I want stay here a little longer, there are more than a few people waiting for us out there." She sat up on far side of the bed, "Now put some clothes on, our daughter has to get ready for school." She playfully smiled as she tossed a robe at him, while she grabbed another for herself.
Early that morning Ino and Ryokou said their farewells to Kankurou in front of the shop. "You know, I can't go with you now." She explained "In spite of everything that just happened, Shiori was your wife. I don't think it would sit well with your people if you showed up with me right afterward. It just might generate pity for her, they'll assume there's been something going on between us all along, which could result in sympathizers coming out for the woodwork." She bowed her head, "You don't need that kind of trouble."
"Then I will send for you when things have settled down." He looked from her to Ryokou. "I'll see you soon, and then you can meet your brothers." He'd gotten an opportunity to talk to her during dinner, she already knew a little about Yuugure and Mayonaka from the fact that she spent so much time her cousins. "I will send messages to you and your mother regularly."
Ryokou reached up to him. He picked her up and allowed her to give him a long hug. Ino came up and took her from him. "It's time for you to go." She turned and walked back toward the shop with Ryokou still in her arms.
"Wait," he said. When she didn't stop he added, "My Ino." He moved up to her just before she opened the door. He took Ryokou out of her arms and set the child down. He drew Ino into his arms kissed her farewell.
Ryokou watched the way her mother kissed the man who was her father. It made the girl uncomfortable. This was not the sweet and gentle way that she kissed Uncle Chouji, watching that kiss had made her feel all warm and happy inside. There was something animal about this kiss, like there was a fight for dominance within it. They pushed and pulled at each other like…well she didn't know how to describe it in her mind. So she decided it was best not to try, she wanted to like him after all, he was her father.
When they finally broke apart the kiss she saw a smudge of the Kazekage's makeup on her mother's cheek. It made her smile because it was kind of silly.
"I know you got that damn paint on me." Ino laughed, "I'm not keeping it! The moment you're out of here, I'm washing my face."
He smirked, "But it's so you'll have something to remember me by."
A/N: Omigod, the Yamanaka secret code language is 'Pig Latin'. Sorry, I couldn't resist doing that: even though manga chapters reveal that Yanamaka family members seem to be able to communicate by more direct means I just liked that part too much to remove it. I'd written that part quite some time ago. Pieces of this chapter were also part of that 'under-developed' Chapter 7 I mentioned last time.
Thanks to my faithful reviewers: A W A I I, pattie mayonnaise & shannny2k. I would have posted sooner but it's been a busy few weeks…and I wanted to make sure there aren't too many mistakes.
